Chilton was honored last season as one of ETSU's Top 5 All-Time Greats.

Friday, August 31, 2007

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Aug. 31, 2007) - For many years, Tom Chilton's No. 42 has held a special place in ETSU basketball's history. Next season, fans will see that special number on the floor once again.

Chilton, who ranks first all-time with 26.1 points per game and fifth on the all-time scoring list with 1,801, has agreed to allow junior transfer Kevin Tiggs (Flint, Mich.) to wear his No. 42 jersey for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 season. Chilton, who now makes his home in Madison, Ind., said he was honored a current player would want to wear his number.

"I wish him the best and I'm honored he wants to wear No. 42," said Chilton, whose 42 is the only retired number in ETSU's program history. "I hope he always considers that the number doesn't make the player, but the player makes the number. A lot of hard work and effort went into that number during my time there, but ETSU gave a lot back to me and I wouldn't be where I am today without that university, so I'm happy to allow the number to be worn again."

ETSU head coach Murry Bartow said he was appreciative Chilton would allow the number to come out of retirement, and he reiterated that the number will go back into retirement two years from now.

"Tom Chilton was one of the finest players to ever wear an ETSU uniform, and his willingness to allow Kevin to wear the number shows he is still proud to be a part of our program's tradition," Bartow said. "It's our expectation that Kevin understand the importance of the number and the responsibility that goes with wearing it."

Tiggs, the 2007 National Junior College Division II Player of the Year, said he certainly understood the history behind the number.

"Mr. Chilton was and is a legend here, so wearing his number comes with a great deal of responsibility," Tiggs said. "I just want to play in a way that would make him proud."

Chilton, who played at ETSU from 1958 to 1961, holds three of the top 10 scoring seasons in ETSU history, netting 32.1 ppg in 1960-61, 25.0 ppg in 1959-60 and 20.6 ppg in 1958-59. His 1,801 points ranks No. 5 all-time despite the fact Chilton played in an era when freshman were ineligible to play. Today, he makes his home in Madison, Ind., but makes his way to Johnson City each year to watch the Bucs play.